This life too shall Pass - Are we ready for the life of the Hereafter (Scholars' Viewpoint)

Most of us would have listened to elders telling us "This too shall pass." This too shall pass is an adage about impermanence of Persian origin. It reflects the temporary nature, or ephemerality, of the human condition. But you will be amazed to know that Qur'an too talks of the temporary nature of life and that it too shall pass and will be replaced with a permanent life of the hereafter. Let us read the 45th verse of Surah 18. Al Kahf and see how life is metaphorically referred to the foliage that grows when it rains, and then dries up to nothing when there are no rains.

The 45th verse of Surah Al-Kahf (18:45) reads:

وَٱضْرِبْ لَهُم مَّثَلَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا كَمَآءٍ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَٱخْتَلَطَ بِهِۦ نَبَاتُ ٱلْأَرْضِ فَأَصْبَحَ هَشِيمًۭا تَذْرُوهُ ٱلرِّيَـٰحُ ۗ 

وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ مُّقْتَدِرًا

"And present to them the example of the life of this world: [It is] like rain which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it and [then] it becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. And Allah is ever, over all things, Perfect in Ability."

Explanation:

The command to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to recite what has been revealed emphasizes the importance of conveying the divine message as it is, without alteration or omission. The Quran is the ultimate and final revelation from Allah, meant to guide humanity. It uses a powerful metaphor to describe the transient nature of the life of this world. Here is a detailed breakdown of its components and implications:

• Example of Rain and Vegetation: The verse starts by likening the life of this world to rain that Allah sends down from the sky. This rain causes vegetation to grow, symbolizing how worldly life flourishes temporarily. This imagery is also found in other parts of the Quran to illustrate the temporary and fleeting nature of worldly life.
• Growth and Flourishing: The vegetation that grows due to the rain represents the prosperity and abundance that people experience in their worldly lives. This growth is initially vibrant and lush, symbolizing the peak of worldly success and enjoyment.
• Decay and Transience: The verse then shifts to describe how this vegetation eventually becomes dry remnants, scattered by the winds. This symbolizes the inevitable decline and destruction of all worldly things. No matter how prosperous or beautiful something is, it will eventually fade away.
• Divine Power and Control: The verse concludes by reminding that Allah is ever capable over all things. This emphasizes that Allah has control over the cycles of growth and decay, prosperity and decline. It serves as a reminder of Allah’s omnipotence and the temporary nature of worldly life.

Context and Themes:

• Transience of Worldly Life: This metaphor is a recurrent theme in the Quran, where the transient nature of worldly life is often compared to natural phenomena like rain and vegetation. For example, in Surah Yunus (10:24):

"The example of [this] worldly life is but like rain which We have sent down from the sky that the plants of the earth absorb - [those] from which men and livestock eat - until, when the earth has taken on its adornment and is beautified and its people suppose that they have capability over it, there comes to it Our command by night or by day, and We make it as a harvest, as if it had not flourished yesterday. Thus do We explain in detail the signs for a people who give thought."

• Reminder of the Hereafter: By illustrating the temporary nature of this world, the verse implicitly encourages believers to focus on the hereafter, which is eternal. This is a common message in the Quran, urging people to seek lasting success and rewards in the life to come rather than being overly attached to the fleeting pleasures of this world.
• Reflection and Gratitude: The verse encourages reflection on the cycles of life and the natural world as signs of Allah’s power and wisdom. Recognizing the temporary nature of worldly life should lead to gratitude for Allah’s continuous blessings and a focus on righteous living.

Contextual Explanation:

• Revelation and Recitation: The command to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to recite what has been revealed emphasizes the importance of conveying the divine message as it is, without alteration or omission. The Quran is the ultimate and final revelation from Allah, meant to guide humanity.
• Immutability of Allah’s Words: The phrase "There is no changer of His words" asserts the divine protection and preservation of the Quran. Unlike other scriptures that may have been altered over time, the Quran remains unaltered and protected by Allah. This is reinforced in other verses, such as in Surah Al-Hijr (15:9):

"Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an and indeed, We will be its guardian."

This underscores the eternal nature and the unchanging truth of Allah’s words.

• Dependence on Allah: The verse concludes by reminding that no refuge or protection can be found except with Allah. This implies the necessity of reliance on Allah alone for guidance, protection, and support.

Reference to the Context in Surah Al-Kahf:

• Story of the Cave (Ashab al-Kahf): Surah Al-Kahf tells the story of the youths who sought refuge in a cave to escape persecution for their faith. This narrative underscores the theme of seeking refuge in Allah and trusting in His protection and guidance.

The immutable nature of Allah’s words also serves as a reassurance to believers that the Quran’s guidance is constant and reliable, unlike the changing circumstances of the world.

• Guidance and Warning: The earlier verses in Surah Al-Kahf provide guidance and warnings to humanity. Verse 18:27 emphasizes the necessity of adhering to the revealed guidance in the Quran for navigating through trials and temptations.
• Message to the Disbelievers: The verse also serves as a message to disbelievers who may seek to challenge or change the divine message. It affirms that no one has the power to alter Allah's words, thus asserting the Quran’s authority and authenticity.

Theological Implications:

• Finality and Preservation of the Quran: The verse reinforces the belief that the Quran is the final and preserved word of Allah. This is a cornerstone of Islamic theology, ensuring that Muslims have a reliable and unchanged source of guidance.
• Reliance on Allah: The reminder that there is no refuge other than Allah stresses the importance of tawakkul (reliance on Allah). Believers are encouraged to seek protection and guidance from Allah alone.
• Prophetic Responsibility: The command to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to recite the revelations emphasizes his role as the messenger and the integrity with which he conveyed Allah’s message. It highlights the responsibility of the Prophet (ﷺ) and, by extension, the responsibility of all believers to uphold and transmit the Quran accurately.

Practical Lessons:

• Detachment from Worldly Attachments: Believers are encouraged to detach themselves from excessive love for worldly possessions and pleasures, understanding that these are temporary and fleeting.
• Focus on Eternal Values: The verse serves as a reminder to prioritize eternal values and invest in actions that will bring lasting rewards in the hereafter.
• Gratitude and Reflection: Reflecting on the natural cycles and Allah’s power should inspire gratitude and a deeper appreciation for the blessings provided by Allah.
• Preparation for the Hereafter: Recognizing the temporary nature of worldly life should motivate believers to prepare for the hereafter through good deeds, seeking Allah’s pleasure, and living a righteous life.

In summary, Surah Al-Kahf (18:45) uses the metaphor of rain and vegetation to illustrate the fleeting nature of worldly life, reminding believers of the importance of focusing on the eternal life of the hereafter and acknowledging Allah’s ultimate power and control over all things.

Having read this explanation, now let us listen to an incredible explanation of this verse by one of the most eminent scholars of present times, Nouman Ali Khan:

About Nouman Ali Khan: Born to a Pakistani family, Nouman Ali Khan is an American Muslim speaker and Arabic instructor who founded the Bayyinah Institute for Arabic and Qur’anic Studies, after serving as an instructor of Arabic at Nassau Community College. He has been named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre of Jordan.

Let us listen to this video again and again and really understand how Allah wants us to be His servants and how we should always be looking towards him, and no one else, for our worldly needs. If we can really Ingrid the meaning of this verse into ourselves, we will never go astray or be misled by worldly desires or following the priests and imams or asking from the dead saints.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is our duty to convey only to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the video above are those of the scholar concerned. We have shared this view as added information in better understanding of Islam. The reader may or may not agree with the view owing to their own perception. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

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For more Scholarly views and videos, please read our reference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam. 

You may read more posts on similar theme in our series of posts related to: Compiled verses from Qur'an on specific subjects: Life

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Why does Allah give leverage to the tyrants and demagogues

The world is full of tyrants, usurpers, demagogues and criminals who roam around the helpless scot-free while the poor and hapless continue to live a life of oppression and miseries. These criminals are generally above the law as the law to is afraid of them and even these known culprits cheat the justice by bribery and coercion and have the cases against them settled in their favour and rule the world without any fear. This equally applicable to many politicians who when seeking votes make larger than life big promises but when they walk into the power corridors their lust for looting public money and enforce a regime of oppression and make their people bleed rather then affording them a happy living.

The poor and oppressed often wonder why the Divine One extend leverage to them while the blatantly disobey His rules and  create chaos on the land at their will? Does Allah favour them or does Allah let the helpless be oppressed forever? They often wonder what is the Wisdom behind delaying the Punishment ?

There is indeed a rationale behind this and Allah explains this in the 45th verse / ayat of Surah 35. Fatir:

وَلَوۡ يُـؤَاخِذُ اللّٰهُ النَّاسَ بِمَا كَسَبُوۡا مَا تَرَكَ عَلٰى ظَهۡرِهَا مِنۡ دَآ بَّةٍ وَّلٰـكِنۡ يُّؤَخِّرُهُمۡ اِلٰٓى اَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّىۚ فَاِذَا جَآءَ اَجَلُهُمۡ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهٖ بَصِيۡرًا

(35:45) If Allah were to take people to task for their deeds, He would not leave any living creature on earth, but He grants them respite to an appointed time. When their appointed time comes to an end, surely Allah fully observes His servants.

This is a self explanatory answer to the woes of many. None of us clean and free of faults and crimes. All of us have wounded hearts, intentionally or even intentionally, and hurt others even if we thought were not. and that is how crimes germinate from small incidents to larger and bigger crimes. I f seen from the perspective of Allah, we all are criminals of some kind. So if Allah starts to catch  everyone of us, there wouldn't be any one  living or being misery. Allah being most compassionate and entirely merciful, thus gives us leverage so that we may amend our attitudes and let everyone live in peace. But this leverage is time barred for every dog has its day. So Allah grants these criminals and demagogues respite to an appointed time. And when despite the respite so given, if the criminals do not mend their ways, repent their crimes and seek forgiveness, the wrath of Allah is ferocious and unending.

Ever seen a deadly snake who scares the hell out of us and everyone fears of their life. But when the snake is killed, it lies lifelessly and people come and kick it at leisure with no fear. Same happens to these usurpers and tyrants. When wrath of Allah descends on them, the fall to grace to utterly misery and are even hanged and robbed of their once tyrannical and wealthy life. The world is replete with such examples. Even many mighty people of Ad and empires like the Roman Empires vanished leaving only the remnants of their might. These remnant are for us as reminders of Godly justice which strikes at the appointed time and for us to shun our wrong notions and follow the way of God - The Aṣ-Ṣirāṭ al-Mustaqīm - The Straight Path.

Renowned Muslim scholar Yusuf Ali explains this verse as under:

Cf. xvi. 61. " If Allah were to punish men for their wrongdoing He would not leave on the (earth) a single living creature: but He gives them respite for a stated term: when their term expires they would not be able to delay (the punishment) for a single hour just as they would not be able to anticipate it (for a single hour)."

There would be no salvation for any of us if we went merely on our deserts. It is Allah's mercy that saves us and helps us to a better and better life until we attain the goal of our existence.

A single living creature. This may refer to man, the living crawling creature, with so many possibilities and yet so many weaknesses. But it may mean all creatures literally, as the life of this planet more or less centres round the life of man. He has been given dominion on this earth, and in his state of purity he is Allah's vicegerent.

Has in His sight all creatures: i.e., to deal with, according to His laws of Forbearance, Mercy and Justice. The respite does not mean that any one escapes His vigilant eye. All will be dealt with according to their deeds, with justice tempered with Mercy.

Tafsir Ibn-Kathir: 

(And if Allah were to punish men for that which they earned, He would not leave a moving creature on the surface of the earth;) meaning, if He were to punish them for all of their sins, He would destroy all the people of the earth and all that they own of livestock and crops. 

Sa`id bin Jubayr and As-Suddi commented on the Ayah: (He would not leave a moving creature on the surface of the earth;) "This means, He would have stopped sending rain to them, and all the animals would have died as a result.''

(but He gives them respite to an appointed term,) means, but He is delaying until the Day of Resurrection, when He will bring them to account and will reward or punish each one according to his deeds: He will reward those who obeyed Him and will punish those who disobeyed Him. 

He says: (and when their term comes, then verily, Allah is Ever All-Seer of His servants.) This is the end of the Tafsir of Surah Fatir. All praise and gratitude is due to Allah.

Explanation Qur'an Wiki:

The last verse in the sūrah speaks of God’s forbearance and compassion, juxtaposing these with His power and knowledge. It emphasizes that people are given a chance, not punished immediately, but that this does not affect the eventual accurate reckoning of their deeds or the fairness of the results at the end. All this is an aspect of His grace.

People commit all sorts of bad actions, showing ingratitude for God’s favours, spreading evil and corruption on earth, committing all manner of injustices and excesses. Were God to mete out fair punishment to people for their actions, His punishment would have gone beyond them to include every living thing on the face of the earth. The whole planet would then be unsuitable for any type of life, not merely human life.

This highlights the terrible nature of what people perpetrate as a destructive force that could end life in its entirety. However, God does not take people to task straightaway; He forbears and gives them chances: “However, He grants them respite for a term set [by Him].” He grants respite to individuals until the end of their lives on earth, and gives communities respite to fulfil their responsibility in performing the task He has assigned mankind to build human life on earth, until they hand over to the next generation. He also grants respite to the human race until the end of human life in this world when the Last Hour arrives. He provides us with all these chances so that we mend our ways and improve our actions.

“When their term comes to an end...” when the time for work and earning reward is over; when it is time for reckoning and administering reward; God will not begrudge them anything of their reward. On the contrary, He will be fair to all: “God has all His servants in His sight.” The fact that He has them all in His sight ensures that they will be fairly requited for whatever they have done in their lives. Nothing serious or trivial will be discounted for or against them.

Thus ends this sūrah which started with praising God, the Originator of the heavens and the earth, “who assigns angels to be messengers, endowed with wings,” delivering His message, with its warnings and happy news to people on earth.

Please listen to explanation of the ayat by eminent Muslim scholar Nouman Ali Khan:

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and help us to act upon the commandments of Allah contained therein. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others life miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. Aameen.

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

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Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully.

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs of the Qur'ān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In order to augment and add more explanation as already provided, additional input has been interjected from following sources: 

• Towards Understanding the Quran
• Tafsir Ibn Khatir
• Muhammad Asad Translation
• Javed Ahmad Ghamidi / Al Mawrid
• Al-Quran, Yusuf Ali Translation
• Verse by Verse Qur'an Study Circle

In addition the references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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What single action of believers forbids indecency and evil

Qur'an is not merely religious book containing some dos and donts as are the famous Ten Commandments. Qur'an in fact is book of complete code of conduct not only for believers but for even non believers and non Muslims. Each word and each verse is indicative of a path that takes a man to rewards and ultimate Paradise, provided each verse and words is acted upon. In fact continuous remembrance of Allah is the true path to success. Those who however shun these directions are liable to adopt a path of indecency and evil.

Herein under we share the 45th verse from Surah 29. Al-Ankabut which indicate a single action that when adopted with complete devotion and concentration lead man from all sources of indecency, lewdness and evil:

اُتۡلُ مَاۤ اُوۡحِىَ اِلَيۡكَ مِنَ الۡكِتٰبِ وَاَقِمِ الصَّلٰوةَ ​ؕ اِنَّ الصَّلٰوةَ تَنۡهٰى عَنِ الۡفَحۡشَآءِ وَالۡمُنۡكَرِ​ؕ وَلَذِكۡرُ اللّٰهِ اَكۡبَرُ ​ؕ وَاللّٰهُ يَعۡلَمُ مَا تَصۡنَعُوۡنَ‏ 

(29:45) (O Prophet), recite the Book that has been revealed to you and establish Prayer. Surely Prayer forbids indecency and evil. And Allah's remembrance is of even greater merit. Allah knows all that you do.

Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi explanation:

The address apparently is directed to the Holy Prophet but, in fact, it is meant for all the believers. Until now they were being counselled patience and reliance on Allah to brave the extreme trying conditions in which they found themselves and the persecutions they were being subjected to on account of their faith. Now they are being told to recite the Qur'an and establish the Salat as a practical device, for these are the two things which endow a believer with a strong character and a wonderful capacity by which he can not only brave successfully the most violent storms of evil and falsehood but can even subdue them. But man can acquire this power from the recitation of the Qur'an and the Prayer only when he does not retrain content with the mere recital of the words but also understands well the Qur'anic teachings and absorbs them in his soul, and his Prayer does not remain confined to physical movements but becomes the very function of his heart and the motive force for his morals and character. The desired quality of the Prayer is being mentioned by the Qur'an itself in the next sentence. As for its recitation, one should know that the recitation which does not reach the heart beyond the throat, cannot even give man enough power to remain steadfast to his faith, not to speak of enabling him to withstand the furies of unbelief. About such people, a Hadith says: "They will recite the Qur'an, but the Qur'an will not go beyond their throats; they will leave the Faith just as the arrow leaves the bow." (Bukhari, Muslim, Mu'atta`). As a matter of fact, the recitation which does not effect any change in a man's way of thinking, and his morals and character, and he goes on doing what the Qur'an forbids, is not the recitation of a believer at all. About such a one the Holy Prophet has said: ;'He who makes lawful what the Qur'an has declared unlawful, has not believed in the Qur'an at all." (Tirmidhi, on the authority of Suhaib Rumi). Such a recitation does not reform and strengthen a maws self and spirit, but makes him even more stubborn against Allah and impudent before his own conscience, and destroys his character altogether. For the case of the person who believes in the Qur'an as a Divine Book, reads it and comes to know what his God has enjoined, and then goes on violating His injunctions, is of the culprit, who commits a crime not due to ignorance but after full knowledge of the law. The Holy Prophet has elucidated this point in a brief sentence, thus: "The Qur'an is a testimony in your favor as well as against you." (Muslim). That is, "If you follow the Qur'an rightly it is a testimony in your favor. Whenever you are called to account for your deeds, here or in the hereafter, you can produce the Qur'an as a testimony in your defense, saying that whatever you did was in accordance with this Book. If what you did was precisely according to it, no jurist in the world will be able to punish you, nor will God in the Hereafter hold you accountable for it. But if this Book has reached you, and you have read it and found out what your Lord demands from you, what He enjoins and what He forbids, and then you adopt an attitude opposed to it, then this Book will be a testimony against you. It will further strengthen the criminal case against you in the Court of God. Then it will in no way be possible for you to escape the punishment, or receive a light punishment, by making the excuse of ignorance."

( Surely Prayer forbids indecency and evil ) This is an important characteristic out of the many characteristics of the Prayer, which has been presented here prominently in view of its relevance to the context. To counter the severe storm of opposition and resistance that the Muslims were experiencing in Makkah, they stood in need of a moral force rather than any material power. To bring about the moral force and develop it suitably two practical devices were pointed out in the first instance, the recitation of the Qur'an and the establishment of the Salat. Now they are being told that the establishment of the Salat is the means through which they can get rid of those evils in which they themselves had been involved before they embraced Islam and in which the non-Muslim Arabs and the non-Arab world around them were involved at that time.

With a little thinking one can easily understand why this special advantage of the Prayer has been particularly mentioned here. Evidently, getting rid of the moral evils is not only useful insofar as it is beneficial for those who attain the moral purity, both here and in the Hereafter, but its inevitable advantage is that it gives them unique superiority over those who might be involved in diverse moral evils, and who might be exerting their utmost to sustain the impure system of ignorance, which nourishes those evils, against the efforts of the morally pure people. Indecent and evil acts are those which man by nature abhors, and which have always been held as evil in principle by the people of every community and society, however depraved and perverted practically. The Arab society in the days of the revelation of the Qur'an was no exception to this. Those people also were aware of the moral virtues and the evils: they valued the good above the evil and there might be none among them, who regarded the evil as identical with the good, or depreciated good. Under such conditions, in a perverted society like that, the emergence of a movement which revolutionized morally members of the same society itself as soon as they came into contact with it, and raised them in character high above their contemporaries, inevitably had widespread effects. The common Arabs could not possibly fail to feel the moral impact of the movement, which eradicated evils and promoted goodness, and instead go on following those who were themselves morally corrupt and were fighting to sustain the system of ignorance, which had been nourishing those evils since centuries. That is why the Qur'an at that time exhorted the Muslims to establish Salat instead of urging them to collect material resources and force and strength that could win over the people's hearts and defeat the enemy without any material force.

The virtue of the Prayer that has been mentioned here has two aspects: its essential and inseparable quality that it restrains from evil and indecent acts, and its desired quality that the one who performs it should in actual fact refrain from evil and indecent acts. As for the first quality the Prayer does restrain people from the evils. Anyone who ponders a little over the nature of the Prayer, will admit that of all the checks and brakes that can be put on man to restrain him from the evils, the Prayer can be the most effective. After all, what check could be more effective than this that man should be called upon five times a day for the remembrance of Allah and made to remind himself again and again that he is not wholly free and independent in this world but is the servant of One God, and his God is He Who is aware of his open as well as hidden acts, even of the most secret aims and intentions of his heart, and a time will surely come when he will have to account for all his deeds before his God. Then he is not only reminded of this but is given practical training at every Prayer time that he should not disobey any of his God's Commands even secretly. From the time that he stands up for the Prayer till its completion man has to perform continuously certain acts in which there is no third person, besides him and his God, who can know whether he has obeyed God's law or , disobeyed it. For instance, if the man's wudu (state of ablutions ) has become void and he stands up for the Prayer, there ca.. be no one, besides him and God, who will know that he is no longer in the state of wudu. If the man has expressed no intention of the Prayer but just goes on performing all the required movements and recites poetry, for instance, instead of the prescribed texts quietly, there is none, besides him and his God who can be aware of the secret that he has not, in fact, performed his Prayer at all. Not with standing this, if a person offers the Prayer five times a day, fulfilling faithfully all the conditions of the Divine law in respect of the cleanliness of the body and dress, and the essentials of the Prayer and its recitation, etc. it means that through this Prayer his conscience is being awakened to life several times a day, he is being helped to-become a responsible and dutiful person, and he is being practically trained that he should, under his own urge of obedience, abide by the law which he has believed in openly as well as secretly, regardless whether there is any external force to make him abide by it or not, and whether the people of the world have any knowledge of his intentions and deeds or not.

Thus considered, one cannot help admitting that the Prayer not only restrains man from the evils and indecencies, but, in fact, there is no other method of training in the world, which may be so effective as the Prayer is in restraining man from the evils. As for the question whether or not man in actual fact refrains from the evils even after attendance at the Prayer, this depends upon the man himself, who is undergoing training for self-reform. If he has the intention to benefit from it, and endeavors for it, the reformatory effects of the Prayer will certainly have their impact on him. Otherwise, evidently, no reformatory device in the world can be effective with a person, who is not prepared to receive any impact of it, or tries to avoid its impact intentionally. This can be explained by an example. The essential quality of food is to nourish the body and develop it. But this advantage can be had only when food is allowed to be assimilated. If a person vomits what he eats after every meal, his food cannot profit him in any way. Just as, keeping such a person in view, one cannot say that food is not nutritious for the body, because so-and-so is becoming a skeleton in spite of eating food, so can no one present the example of an unrighteous offerer of the Prayer and say that the Prayer does not restrain from the evils, because so-and-so is unrighteous in spite of his Prayer. Just as about such a person it will be apt to say that he does not offer the Prayer at all, so about the person who vomits everything he eats, it will be apt to say that he does not eat his food at all.

Precisely the same thing has been reported from the Holy Prophet and some great Companions and their followers. `Imran bin Husain reports that the Holy Prophet said: "He Whose Prayer did not restrain him from the evil and indecent acts, offered no Prayer at all." (Ibn Abi Hatim). -Ibn `Abbas has reported the Holy Prophet as saying: "The Prayer which did not restrain a person from the evil and indecent acts, led him further away from Allah." (Ibn Abi Hatim, Tabarani). A Hadith containing the same theme has been reported by Hasan Basri directly from the Holy Prophet (Ibn Jarir, Baihaqi). Another Hadith reported on the authority of Ibn Mas`ud is to the effect: "He who did not obey the Prayer, offered no Prayer at all, and obedience to the Prayer is that one should refrain from the evil and indecent acts." (Ibn Jarir, Ibn Abi Hatim). Several sayings to the same effect have been reported on the authority of 'Abdullah bin Mas`ud, `Abdullah bin `Abbas, Hasan Basri, Qatadah and A`amash, etc. Imam Ja`far Sadiq has said: "He who wants to know whether his Prayer has been accepted or not, should see how far his Prayer has restrained him from the evil and indecent acts. If he has been restrained from the evils, his Prayer has been accepted." (Ruh al Ma `ani).  

( And Allah's remembrance is of even greater merit. ) This can have several meanings: (1) "That the remembrance of Allah (i.e. Prayer) is a thing of much higher value: it not only restrains from the evils, but, over and above that, it induces people to act righteously and urges them to excel one another in good acts," (2) "that Allah's remembrance in itself is a great thing: it is the best of acts: no act of man is greater in value than this. ` (3) "that Allah's remembrance of you is a greater thing than your remembrance of Him. Allah has said in the Qur'an: "So remember Me: I will remember you'." (Al-Baqarah: 156). Thus, when the servant remembers Allah in the Prayer, inevitably Allah also will remember him, and the merit of Allah's remembering the servant is certainly greater than the servant's remembering Allah. Besides these three meanings, there is another subtle meaning also, which the wife of Hadrat Abud Darda has explained. She says, "Allah's remembrance is not restricted to the Prayer, but, its sphere is much vaster. When a man observes a fast, or pays the Zakat or performs a righteous act, he inevitably remembers Allah. That is why the righteous act emanates from him. Likewise, when a man refrains from an evil act when an opportunity exists for it, even this also is the result of Allah's remembrance. Thus, the remembrance of Allah pervades the entire life of a believer."

Tafsir Ibn-Kathir: 

(Verily, the Salah prevents from immoral sins and evil wicked deeds) "Prayer has three attributes, and any prayer that contains none of these attributes is not truly prayer: Being done purely and sincerely for Allah alone (Ikhlas), fear of Allah, and remembrance of Allah. Ikhlas makes a person do good deeds, fear prevents him from doing evil deeds, and the remembrance of Allah is the Qur'an which contains commands and prohibitions.'' Ibn `Awn Al-Ansari said: "When you are praying, you are doing good, it is keeping you away from immoral sins and evil wicked deeds and what you are doing is part of the remembrance of Allah which is greater.''

Muhammad Asad Explanation:

( CONVEY [unto others] whatever of this divine writ has been revealed unto thee ) If we assume that verses {45-46} are addressed not merely to the Prophet but to believers in general (an assumption which is strengthened by the plural form of address in the last clause of verse {45} and throughout verse {46}), the above phrase may be taken to mean "whatever of the divine writ has revealed itself to thy understanding".

The term ( الۡمُنۡكَرِ ) al-munkar (rendered by me in other places as "that which is wrong") has here its original meaning of "that which the mind [or the moral sense] rejects", respectively "ought to reject". Zamakshari is more specific, and explains this term as signifying in the above context "that which [men's] intellects disown" or "declare to be untrue" (ma tunkiruhu al-'uqul): in other words, all that runs counter to reason and good sense (which, obviously. must not be confused with that which is beyond man's comprehension). This eminently convincing explanation relates not merely to intellectually unacceptable propositions (in the abstract sense of the term) but also to grossly unreasonable and, therefore, reprehensible actions or attitudes and is, thus, fully in tune with the rational approach of the Qur'an to questions of ethics as well as with its insistence on reasonableness and moderation in man's behaviour. Hence my rendering of al-munkar, in this and in similar instances, as "all that runs counter to reason".

Yusuf Ali  Explanation: 

The tilawat of the Qur-an implies: (1) rehearsing or reciting it, and publishing it abroad to the world; (2) reading it to ourselves; (3) studying it to understand it as it should be studied and understood (ii. 121); (4) meditating on it so as to accord our knowledge and life and desires with it. When this is done, it merges into real Prayer, and Prayer purges us of anything (act, plan, thought, motive, words) of which we should be ashamed or which would work injustice to others. Such Prayer passes into our inmost life and being, for then we realize the Presence of Allah, and that is true zikr (or remembrance), for remembrance is the bringing to mind of things as present to us which might otherwise be absent to us. And that is the greatest thing in life. It is subjective to us: it fills our consciousness with Allah. For Allah is in any case always present and knows all.

Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Explanation:

([If they are not paying heed, do not care about them, O Prophet and] keep reading that Book ) Ie., the Prophet (sws) should read it himself and also read it out to others.

( which has been revealed to you and be diligent in the prayer. ) This directive is mentioned in the Qur’ān at many instances so that people are able to adhere to their religion and show steadfastness in the cause of inviting others to the truth. Those who tread this path know that steadfastness in this path is achieved through God’s companionship and such is the nearness of the prayer with God it is as if it is His substitute for us in this world. Verse 19 of Sūrah al-‘Alaq وَاقْتَرِبْ وَاسْجُدْ (prostrate and in this way come close to Me) illustrates precisely this reality. Hence if there is a way to achieve the companionship of God while working for His cause, it can only be through His Book and by praying to Him. The most significant way to achieve this is to offer the tahajjud prayer. Thus when the Prophet (sws) was asked to enter into the phase of openly warning others, God told him that if he has to bear the heavy burden and discharge its responsibilities, the Qur’ān was to be read in the night prayers. The reason stated for this was that that time was the most appropriate to find a vacant mind and to understand the Qur’ān. In the words of Imām Amīn Aḥsan Iṣlāḥī, since this time is a special one for peace of mind and for vigilance of the heart, whatever comes out of the tongue goes straight into the heart and moves it deeply. A person accepts it as a testimony of his heart and its effect on others who happen to listen to it is also profound. (Tadabbur-i Qur’ān, vol. 9, 25-26) 

( Undoubtedly, the prayer fends off lewdness and evil.)   Ie., like a sermonizer, the prayer warns a person that when he is overwhelmed with lust and desire and lures get the better of him, he should never forget that one day he will have to appear before God and be answerable to Him for his deeds. Imām Amīn Aḥsan Iṣlāḥī writes:

… Those who offer the prayer – whether in seclusion or in public – while giving due regard to its spirit and requisites are continued to be reminded by it of the facts that are essential to remain on the right path. In particular, the prayer offered in seclusion is the most effective for the life of a person. If a person does not offer the prayer, then his example is that of a driver who is driving his vehicle at full speed, yet he is absolutely heedless and unaware of the sign-boards at the road side that tell him of the right way and also inform him of various dangers. Such a driver in all probability will lead his vehicle into a ditch. (Amīn Aḥsan Iṣlāḥī, Tadabbur-i Qur’ān, vol. 6, 53)

It is evident from this that the prayer guarantees a person’s adherence to religion. It is also apparent from the Qur’ān that a devil is deputed to those who become indifferent to God’s remembrance and evade it and he becomes their permanent companion. The prayer saves a person from this negligence and evasion and also guards him from the onslaughts of Satan. No doubt that these onslaughts continue despite this but continuous adherence to the prayer does not allow Satan to permanently reside in the heart of a person. The prayer continues to ward it off and like a barrier protects his heart and mind. It is for this reason that it has been stressed that it should be offered in times of danger even on foot or on a conveyance.

([This is God’s remembrance] and in reality God’s remembrance is a big thing. ) The implication is that this counsel should not be regarded as trivial or ordinary. Being reminded of God is in fact a great thing. Imām Amīn Aḥsan Iṣlāḥī writes:

 ... It is through it that hearts receive true assurance and comfort:

اَلَا بِذِكۡرِ اللّٰهِ تَطۡمَئِنُّ الۡقُلُوۡبُ. (28:13) (Listen up! Hearts receive assurance from God’s remembrance, (13:28)). And it is a person’s heart which is the source of strength and determination in him. If the heart is strong, there is nothing more powerful than a human being and if the heart is weak, there is nothing more frail than a human being. The real thing that energizes the heart is God’s remembrance and the most appropriate, comprehensive and effective form of it is the prayer. (Amīn Aḥsan Iṣlāḥī, Tadabbur-i Qur’ān, vol. 6, 53)

( [Trust Him because] God knows whatever you people do. ) Earlier, the address was in the singular but at the end it has become plural. The purpose is to explain that the Prophet of God must tread this path come what may; however, same is the guidance for those who intend to adopt God’s religion, adhere to it and become its advocates or helpers of its advocates. Thus it is stated that their Lord is aware of all their deeds and hence they must trust Him; He will not let any of their open or hidden deeds go waste. In fact, He will fully reward them for it.

Please listen to explanation of the ayat by eminent Muslim scholar Nouman Ali Khan:

May Allah help us understand Qur'ān and help us to act upon the commandments of Allah contained therein. Aameen.

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

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Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully.

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs of the Qur'ān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In order to augment and add more explanation as already provided, additional input has been interjected from following sources: 

• Towards Understanding the Quran
• Tafsir Ibn Khatir
• Muhammad Asad Translation
• Javed Ahmad Ghamidi / Al Mawrid
• Al-Quran, Yusuf Ali Translation
• Verse by Verse Qur'an Study Circle

In addition the references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Selected Verses from Quran: And resort to patience and Prayer for Divine help

Man is born with countless wishes and desires. and is always wanting that all his desires and needs be fulfilled immediately. Likewise when he is in distress, he seeks immediate Divine help. But when these desires and needs are not fulfilled or the help does not come timely, he is seen cursing his fate and lamenting to Allah for not having him listened to and left him helpless and abandoned. 

For such impatient and distressed, Allah asks them to be patient and be regular in As Salat prayers, for Divine help comes to those who are steadfast in their As Salat and patience: 

وَاسۡتَعِيۡنُوۡا بِالصَّبۡرِ وَالصَّلٰوةِ ​ؕ وَاِنَّهَا لَكَبِيۡرَةٌ اِلَّا عَلَى الۡخٰشِعِيۡنَۙ‏ 

"And resort to patience and As Salat (Prayer) for help.  Truly Prayer is burdensome for all except the devout," (Surah 2 Al Baqarah: 45) 

That is, if they feel difficulty in keeping to righteousness, the remedy lies in resorting to Prayer and patience. From these two attributes they will derive the strength needed to follow their chosen course.

The literal meaning of 'sabr' " صَّبۡرِ " is to exercise restraint, to keep oneself tied down. It denotes the will-power, the firm resolve and the control over animal desires which enables man to advance along the path of his choice - the path that satisfies his heart and conscience - in utter disregard of the temptations within, and of all obstacles and opposition without. The purpose of this directive is to urge man to develop this quality and to reinforce it from the outside by means of Prayer.

Ibn Kathir Explanation:

Allah commanded His servants to use patience and prayer to acquire the good of this life and the Hereafter. Muqatil bin Hayan said that this Ayah means, "Utilize patience and the obligatory prayer in seeking the Hereafter. As for patience (here), they say that it means fasting.'' There are similar texts reported from Mujahid. Al-Qurtubi and other scholars commented, "This is why Ramadan is called the month of patience,'' as is mentioned in the Hadith literature. It was also said that `patience' in the Ayah means, refraining from evil, and this is why `patience' was mentioned along with practicing acts of worship, especially and foremost, the prayer. Also, Ibn Abi Hatim narrated that `Umar bin Al-Khattab said, "There are two types of patience: good patience when the disaster strikes, and a better patience while avoiding the prohibitions of Allah.'' Ibn Abi Hatim said that Al-Hasan Al-Basri was reported to have said similarly.

The prayer is one of the best means of assistance for firmly adhering to Allah's orders, just as Allah said; (Recite (O Muhammad ) what has been revealed to you of the Book (the Qur'an), and perform As-Salah. Verily, As-Salah (the prayer) prevents from Al-Fahsha' (i.e. great sins of every kind), and Al-Munkar and the remembrance of (praising) of (you by) Allah is greater indeed) (29:45).

The personal pronoun in the Ayah " وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ " (And truly, it is extremely heavy and hard) refers to prayer, as Mujahid is reported to have said, and it was also the choice of Ibn Jarir. It is possible that the pronoun might be referring to the advice - to observe patience and the prayer - mentioned in the same Ayah.

" إِلاَّ عَلَى الْخَـشِعِينَ "  (except for Al-Khashi`in.). Ibn Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas commented on this Ayah, "They (Al-Khashi`in) are those who believe in what Allah has revealed.''

Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Explanation:

In the Arabic language, the word صَبْر is used to firmly set one’s self on one’s view while protecting one’s self from worry, frustration and anxiety. When a person, with full contentment of the heart, strongly adheres to the support of the Almighty and perseveres on his stance in every difficulty he encounters, then this attitude is called صَبْر. 

In verse 177 of this surah, the Qur’an has cited three instances in which a person must exercise صَبْر: poverty, sickness and war. A little deliberation shows that all hardships emanate from these three states. If a person is able to remain composed at the outbreak of these states, then he indeed should be counted among those imbued with perseverance.

This is the method suggested by the Qur’an for those who want to tread and remain steadfast on the path of the truth. Without the help of the Almighty, a person can neither tread this path nor remain steadfast on it. It is only through the prayer and through exercising perseverance that one becomes worthy of God’s help. If a person makes a determined effort to lead his life with perseverance and also offers the prayer with all diligence and vigilance, his determination increases. He is not shaken in the most trying of circumstances, and, if ever he is, the Almighty Himself comes forward and lends support to him.

The actual words are: وَاِنَّہَا لَکَبِیۡرَۃٌ. In the opinion of this writer, the antecedent of the pronoun هَا is all the directives given to the Israelites in this discourse. In the Arabic language, a feminine pronoun is generally used in such instances.

The actual words are: اِلَّا عَلَی الۡخٰشِعِیۡنَ. The implied meaning is that it is difficult indeed to leave aside national and racial vanity and surrender to the truth; however, if a person is cognizant of the grandeur and greatness of the Almighty and he is humble, modest, meek and devoted to Him, and is fully aware of the fact that he needs the Almighty and is dependent on Him, then surrendering to the truth becomes easy.

Yusuf Ali Explanation:

The Arabic word Sabr implies many shades of meaning, which it is impossible to comprehend in one English word. It implies (1) patience in the sense of being thorough, not hasty; (2) patient perseverance, constancy, steadfastness, firmness of purpose; (3) systematic as opposed to spasmodic or chance action; (4) a cheerful attitude of resignation and understanding in sorrow, defeat, or suffering, as opposed to murmuring or rebellion, but saved from mere passivity or listlessness, by the element of constancy or steadfastness.

Explanation Verse by Verse Qur'an Study Circle: Whenever the Prophet salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was tested he would seek the help of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala through prayer. When we are tested we seek help from other people. Instead of turning to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala we turn to the people, make phone calls, send them text messages or e-mails and chase them so we may pour out our hearts to them. People CANNOT help us. Only Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala can and does. So, why turn to the creation when you have the Creator waiting for you to speak with Him?

Patience means to control oneself at the first sight of the calamity. Umar ibn al-Khattab radhiAllahu ‘anhu said, “There are two types of patience: good patience when the disaster strikes and a better patience while avoiding the prohibitions of Allah.” When things are not going your way, have patience. Things will change and become better, but at a time that Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala has chosen. Therefore, work on your relationship with Him. Use this time to build a strong bond with your Creator – He Who controls all the affairs of the world and of your life.

The Prophet salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam termed the ability to have patience a blessing. He said no person has been favored more than he who has been given patience.

Who are the Patient Ones? Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala tells us that they are the khashi’een. They are those who have the fear of their Lord in their hearts, and this fear is visible on their skin too. They do not keep crying over their problems, but rather turn to their Lord and speak with Him.

Please listen to explanation of the ayat by eminent Muslim scholar Nouman Ali Khan:

May Allah help us understand Qur'an and help us to act upon the commandments of Allah contained therein - and remain steadfast no matter how grave the times be for Allah's help shall always be forthcoming. In Sha Allah.

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

Photo | Resource References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

Reading the Holy Quran should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully.

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs of the Holy Qur'an from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that:

• The plain translation has been taken from the Holy Quran officially published by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. [1]
• The exegesis of the chapters of the Holy Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi. [2]  

In order to augment and add more explanation as already provided by [2], additional input has been interjected from following sources: 

• Towards Understanding the Quran
• Tafsir Ibn Khatir
• Muhammad Asad Translation
• Javed Ahmad Ghamidi / Al Mawrid
• Al-Quran, Yusuf Ali Translation
• Verse by Verse Qur'an Study Circle

In addition the references of  other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More